Aquitaine regional information and tourist attractions. About-France.com Access Aquitaine, capital city Bordeaux, is one of the great historic regions of France; it is also one of the largest and most varied regions of France, stretching from the foothills of the Massif Central in the north, to the Spanish border in the south, a distance of over 300 km. In the Middle Ages, Aquitaine was allied with the Plantagenet kings of England, and the region has many historic connections with the British Isles, notably through the wine trade. On account of its size, Aquitaine is a very varied region; the northwest part of Aquitaine, comprising the departments of the Dordogne (24) and the Lot et Garonne (47) is made up of gentle hill country, with large areas of vineyards in the lower lying areas, and woodland and mixed farming in the hillier north east. The Dordogne area (click for more details) is famous for its rurality, its gentle valleys and villages, which seem to outsiders to be lost in time, and have become very popular with second-home buyers from the UK and the Netherlands in particular.

The area is also famous as one of the oldest centres of known human habitation in Europe, and many prehistoric sites can be found round the area of Lascaux (remarkable caves, a UNESCO world heritage site) and Les Eyzies. Within France, the Dordogne department is more famous for its gastronomic specialities, truffles, foie-gras, walnuts and other mouth-watering delicacies, and is often rerferred to as "le Pï¿½rigord", the area around the departmental capital of Pï¿½rigueux. The middle band of the region, following the line of the Gironde estuary, is low-lying land, and one of the most famous wine-producing areas in France. Bordeaux, regional capital and capital of the Gironde (33) department, is amagnificent city lying at the lowest bridging point on the Garonne river. it is one of France's great seaports, and its historic wealth is reflected in the many fine buildings of the old city, such as the unique eighteenth-century theatre.

North of Bordeaux, to the west of the Gironde estuary, lies the area of Mï¿½doc, the most prestigious of the region's wine-producing areas; other famous vineyard areas can be found all round Bordeaux, and notably along the valley of the Garonne and its tributaries. Sand dunes above the bay of Arcachon The area around the small historic city of St. Emilion is another famous vineyard area. Further inland, the area between Marmande and Agen supports a busy fruit and vegetable industry. On the coast, the resort of Arcachon is very popular, on account of its sheltered anchorage, favoured by yachtsmen, and the proximity of the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe. The southern part of Aquitaine is made up of two distinct areas, the departments of les Landes (40) and the Pyrï¿½nï¿½es Atlantiques (64). Les Landes is the most heavily forested area of Europe; a low lying area with sandy soil, almost the whole department is covered with pine forests interspersed with small areas of heath and farmland.

The forests are popular with nature lovers, ramblers and hunters, and support a major timber industry. Outside the few towns and seaside resorts, the department of les Landes, which until the nineteenth century was renowned as an inhospitable wasteland, is one of the least densely populated areas of France. It is also a department where almost a quarter of all dwellings are second homes. The coastline of les Landes is a long almost unbroken stretch of sandy beach, much of it virtually empty. Les Landes is part of the historic area of Gascony . The department of Pyrï¿½nï¿½es Atlantiques (64) is essentially composed of the former province of Bearn and the Basque country. It is a very attractive department, offering everything from Atlantic surf on the beaches around St Jean de Luz and Biarritz, to good skiing on the slopes high up in the Pyrenees. The foothills of the Pyrenees are a delightful area, benefiting from a very mild climate, and sufficient rainfall to remain green and luscious through many months of the year.

Pau, the departmental capital, is an elegant city that was very popular with the British in the nineteenth century as a thermal resort, and even boasted at one time an English hunt, complete with hounds and redcoats. Aquitaine is a region that is popular for cycle tourism : two long distance cycle routes, the Atlantic cycleway and the Atlantic-Mediterranean cycle route cross the region. In Aquitaine, both are largely on dedicated surfaced cycle routes, and are flat, as they largely follow the coast or rivers / canals. Travel information: Reaching Aqitaine: By train to Bordeaux : TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse, or from Lille; train from Toulouse or Marseille. By car : motorway from the Channel ports via Rouen and Tours, or from Paris. Information about the French Region of Aquitaine the other side of the South... Capital: Bordeaux Specialities: Wine, foie-gras, oysters, Armagnac, jambon de bayonne... Background on the region Photo: CRT Aquitaine Julius Caesar named the south-western part of France Aquitaine, after the Latin word “aqua”, meaning water.

This was because his troops discovered an abundance of thermal springs, lakes and rivers coming down from the Pyrenees to meet the vast coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Aquitaine lazily stretches its sandy beaches over 270 kilometres from the Pointe de Grave to the Adour, and the pines planted in the dunes protect this beautiful coastline. This seashore continues to the foot of the Pyrenees right to the Pays Basque, where it breaks up into many natural harbours. There are many beaches that cater for all in this immense space. Families can enjoy quietness and protected bathing in resorts such as Hourtin, Vieux Boucau or Carcans. Surf-lovers, experienced or not, can ride the waves in places like Lacanau, Biarritz, Anglet or Arcachon. In the Arcachon Basin, a kind of Inland Sea, there is shelter for small boats and the oyster farms are the largest in France. One can visit, taste and buy oysters on the spot! Bordeaux is famous the world over for its vineyards and wines, especially Médoc, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes.

There is also the Jurançon and the Armagnac in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques. On the gastronomy side, regional specialities include foie gras and jambon de Bayonne. The fish and oysters are exquisite next to the fruits of the Lot-et-Garonne! You can enjoy an oenology course in the Bergerac region or a weekend of duck cuisine near Monflanquin. The mild climate in Aquitaine allows you to play golf all year round on the 45 quality courses. Because of their geographical location, you can combine golf and other sports whilst discovering the rest of the region. This may be hiking in the beautiful forests, skiing in the Pyrenees, visiting the wine growing areas, or soaking up the regions art, culture, history and heritage. Aquitaine is also a fisherman’s paradise, with waters teeming with bass, turbot, meagre, sole, gilt-head, skate and dogfish. You can even go deep-sea fishing with professionals from St Jean de Luz or Biarritz and catch tuna and shark ! Enjoy a nature escapade around the Bay of Arcachon or a moment of sheer relaxation at a thalassotherapy centre in Biarritz.

Photo: CRT Aquitaine Administratively, Aquitaine has five departments. Three of these are on the coast, Gironde with Bordeaux, Landes and the Pyrenees-Atlantiques which is made up of the ancient Bearn and the French part of the Pays Basque. Inland there is Lot-et-Garonne and Dordogne. Here you will find important Norman style architecture and the prehistoric Cave of Lascaux discovered in Dordogne in 1940. The whole region has inspired many to write, such as Montaigne, Montesquieu and Mauriac. Aquitaine is only 1.5 hours by plane from London and Bordeaux airport connects to many internal and international destinations. By TGV train, Paris is only a 3 hour journey and there is an extensive network of good motorways and dual carriageways. In Aquitaine the people tell you that Mother Nature is at her best. You will be captivated by the warmth and welcoming nature of the locals. Their innate sense of fun and natural “joie de vivre” will make your time in Aquitaine an unforgettable experience.

Facts and figures Population: 2,923,000 (4,8% of French population) Density: 71 per sq. km (France = 108,2 per sq. km) Area: 41 834 sq. km (16,152 sq. miles) representing 7,6% of France Economy: Services (70,5%), industry (23,3%), agriculture (6,3%) Unemployment rate: 9,1% (rate for France = 9%) Specialities: Famous wines (Médoc, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes), Jurançon, the Armagnac, foie gras, jambon de Bayonne, fish and oysters, truffles.

Tourism National Park of the Pyrenées + 2 regional nature Parks (Landes and Périgord-Limousin) 270 km of coastline Aquitaine | region, France | Britannica.com Aquitaine Pippin I Aquitaine, région of France encompassing the southwestern départements of Dordogne, Gironde, Landes , Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The present-day région roughly matches the western half of the historical region of Aquitaine. Aquitaine is bounded by the régions of Poitou-Charentes to the north, Limousin to the northeast, and Midi-Pyrénées to the east. It is bordered on the south by Spain , and its western shores line the Atlantic Ocean along the Bay of Biscay . The capital is Bordeaux . Area 15,949 square miles (41,309 square km). Pop. (1999) 2,908,359; (2012 est.) 3,285,970. The Fishermen Port, Biarritz, France.

It was originally built in 1870 for local fishermen but is … © gael_f/Fotolia Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Geography Except for the Pyrenees Mountains, which rise in the south, lowlands predominate in Aquitaine. The highest point in the région is the peak of Midi d’Ossau (9,465 feet [2,885 metres]). Most land, however, lies below 1,600 feet (500 metres), and a significant percentage is forested; Landes is one of the most densely forested départements in France. Chief rivers include the Adour, Dordogne, and Garonne ; the last flows northwest through Bordeaux, then joins the waters of the Dordogne to become the Gironde estuary. Annual precipitation exceeds 30 inches (800 mm) in the northeast and increases in the south toward the Pyrenees . An oceanic climate prevails. Although the average population density is relatively low and much of the région has a rural character, the number of people living in Aquitaine has risen steadily since the 1960s.

This growth is due increasingly to immigration, as birth rates have fallen and the population ages. Aquitaine is most densely inhabited in Bordeaux and its immediate surroundings, while population growth is strongest in the city’s outlying areas. Traditionally, agricultural activity in Aquitaine was associated with polyculture (the raising of fish and aquatic plants), but modernization has led to far greater specialization in aquaculture. Farm production is dominated by corn (maize) and fruits, particularly grapes, which are used to produce the famous wines of the Bordeaux region (e.g., Médoc, Sauternes, Saint-Emilion, and Pomerol). Vegetables are also an important crop. Walnuts are extensively cultivated in Dordogne, and Lot-et-Garonne is one of France’s main tobacco-growing areas. Périgord is world-famous for its highly prized black truffles. Some livestock is raised in the région, mainly for meat. A significant number of farms raise ducks and geese for the production of foie gras.

Similar Topics Nord-Pas-de-Calais Aquitaine is not a heavily industrialized area, although industry has expanded to include the manufacture of automobile components, equipment for the aerospace industry, food and beverages, and pharmaceutical products. Such activity is concentrated principally in and around Bordeaux and in smaller urban centres such as Bayonne . In the Orthez-Pau area, small quantities of crude oil have long been extracted, while Lacq became well known for its production of natural gas and its related chemical industry. However, very little gas is now exploited. Other energy-related industries include a nuclear power station at Blayais. Tourism is widespread, particularly along the coasts. The Basque coast in Pyrénées-Atlantique has experienced a major development of leisure activity, centred on the towns of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and, especially, Biarritz . A number of small winter-sports resorts have developed in the Pyrenees. In Dordogne many visitors travel to the valley of Vézère, one of the earliest known cradles of human habitation. Caves at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and Lascaux contain some of the world’s best prehistoric drawings and paintings.

Dordogne also has about 1,000 châteaus and a number of picturesque medieval towns. A château near Bordeaux, in the French region of Aquitaine, offers tourists an opportunity to … Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz Bordeaux is the main transportation hub, with a maritime port, regional airport, and high-speed train service (train à grande vitesse; TGV) to Paris. A network of motorways also radiates from Bordeaux. History Exploring Italy and France: Fact or Fiction? In Julius Caesar’s description of Gaul , “Aquitania” was an area extending from the Pyrenees to the Garonne River. The Roman emperor Augustus (reigned 27 bc–ad 14) made it a Roman administrative district, and its borders were extended as far north as the Loire River and east to the Massif Central . Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent A Visigothic province in the 5th century, Aquitaine came under Frankish rule in the 6th century, retaining a measure of provincial identity exploited by local rulers.

Long resistant, Aquitaine was finally subdued in the 8th century by Charlemagne, who bestowed it (less Gascony) as a kingdom upon his son Louis (the future emperor Louis I). It remained a kingdom under Louis’s son Pippin I and grandson Pippin II . Its chief towns were Toulouse , Limoges, and Poitiers . Devastation by the Normans in the 9th century resulted in political and social upheavals during the course of which various feudal domains were established. The title of duke of Aquitaine, which had already been used by various little-known persons in the 7th century, was assumed at the end of the 9th century by William I (the Pious) , count of Auvergne and the founder of the abbey of Cluny. In the first half of the 10th century the counts of Auvergne, of Toulouse, and of Poitiers each claimed this ducal title, but it was eventually secured by another William I , count of Poitiers (William III of Aquitaine).

The powerful house of the counts of Poitiers retained Aquitaine during the 10th and 11th centuries, endeavouring from time to time to restore to the name its former significance by extending the boundaries of the duchy to include Gascony and Toulouse. Then, on the death without heirs of the last duke, William X (William VIII of Poitiers), in 1137, his daughter Eleanor united Aquitaine to the kingdom of France by her marriage with Louis VII . When Louis divorced her, however, Eleanor of Aquitaine married in 1152 the count of Anjou , Henry Plantagenet, who two years later became king of England as Henry II . The duchy thus passed to her new husband, who, having suppressed a revolt there, gave it to his son, Richard the Lion-Heart (later Richard I of England), who spent most of his life in Aquitaine, often subduing rebellious vassals. When Richard died in 1199, the duchy reverted to Eleanor, and on her death five years later it was united to the English crown and henceforward followed the fortunes of the English possessions in France.

Eleanor of Aquitaine lies between her son Richard I and her second husband, Henry II, both kings of … Erich Lessing/Art Resource, New York Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Aquitaine, as it existed under the English kings, stretched (as of old) from the Loire to the Pyrenees, but its extent was curtailed on the southeast by the wide lands of the counts of Toulouse. The name Guyenne (or Guienne), a corruption of Aquitaine, seems to have come into use about the 10th century, and the subsequent history of Aquitaine merged at times with that of Gascony and Guyenne . These regions were completely reunited to France by the end of the Hundred Years’ War , in the mid-15th century. During the French Revolution Aquitaine became one of many provinces reorganized into smaller départements. More about Aquitaine Regions of France | Aquitaine Region of France Aquitaine: A Multi-Faced Region of France Diverse Landscapes Aquitaine, in the south-west, is the largest region of France.

It has a long, straight west coast, which stretches 200 km from the mouth of the Gironde estuary down to Spanish border. Along this border there are two main resorts, Biarritz in the south which, once fashionable with the glamour set of the 1930s has recently been revived by trendy Parisians, and Arcachon to the north with its grand villas, which is popular with Bordelais weekenders. Apart from these resorts the beautiful endless white beaches of this coastline are half-empty during the summer months compared to France's packed scorching Mediterranean coast. The Pyrenees mountain range steadily begins to rise in the Pyrénées Atlantiques, the southernmost departement of Aquitaine. The mountain foothills are a lush green land where the houses gradually become chalet in style. Many compare the weather here to Wales - although it is warmer, it rains a lot. Part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is Basque country (Pays Basque) where some 80,000 Basques live. The remaining 600,000 reside across the border in Spain.

The torso of Aquitaine's coastline is flanked by a large expanse of pine forests that make up most of the Landes département. These forests were planted in the 19th century to stabilise drifting sands. A Rich and Varied Terroir Above Landes, the Gironde departement around Bordeaux is home to some of the world's most celebrated vineyards, such as those in the fairly flat Médoc, west of the river Gironde, and around towards the increasingly hilly area about pretty St-Emilion. Agriculture has long been important to the economy and the Aquitaine grows half of France's kiwi fruit, almost half its strawberries, and most of its prunes. Potatoes, asparagus and maize are also important crops. Around Bergerac many tobacco fields are to be found and the forests of Landes produce a large quantity of planking for floors, roofing and wall cladding. Landes, also has far reaching fields growing succulent small carrots. Arcachon is famous throughout France for its oysters and it is possible to see the oyster beds at low tide. Although the oyster production has suffered several major setbacks, they are now flourishing again thanks to Japanese and Canadian breeding stocks.

A Constantly Changing Region According to an ongoing study of migration to the region by Montesquieu University Bordeaux IV it was found that most British expats in Dordogne have been in the area for over five years, are predominantly male, above middle age, not living with children, and two thirds of them did not work. Unlike the other departements in Aquitaine, in which the British have either come for employment reasons or matrimonial ties, the expatriates in Dordogne are primarily there for quality of life and many first acquired their homes during the 80s property boom. This is heartland of the stereo-typical wealthy British expat in France, with their own enclave of cricket teams and bridge clubs. Aquitaine's primary economic interest today is the expansion of its industrial and service sectors, especially the high-tech sector including the manufacturing of advanced materials, electronics, computer integrated manufacturing, and biotechnology. Périgord : a Perfect Example of True Aquitaine The northern, inland area of Aquitaine contains one of the most popular departments with the British - the Dordogne, named after what many argue as France's most beautiful river.

The British call the area Dordogne, but to the French it is known as Périgord. Each area of Périgord has been assigned a descriptive colour. The south-east around Sarlat is called Perigord Noir because of its dense oak forests; the limestone area around the River Isle and Périgueux, capital of the region, is called Perigord Blanc after the light colour of its rock; Périgord Poupre refers to the wine-growing area around Bergerac; and the very green wooded area and pasturelands to the north is Perigord Vert. Apart from the lucrative tourist trade, this is an economically fragile and depopulated région. The two largest towns, each with populations just over 50,000, are Périgueux known for its domed cathedral, and Bergerac an important wine centre. Brantôme, on a bend of the water-lilly covered River Dronne, is much loved by British tourists. AQUITAINE : map, cities and data of the region Aquitaine - France Hotel Dordogne Chez Emma et Alister Chez Emma et Alister offers accommodation in Périgueux.

Various restaurants can be found nearby and Bergerac is 42 km away. All units have a dining area and a seating area with a flat-s... Rate : from 75.00 € to 90.00 € Address : 3 Marche Au Bois 24000 Périgueux Hotel Dordogne La Petite Cour - Périgueux Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, La Petite Cour - Périgueux offers accommodation in Périgueux. Rooms have a flat-screen TV. Certain units have a seating area where you can ... Price : from 58.50 € to 95.00 € Contact : 9 Rue Roletrou 24000 Périgueux Hotel Gironde Bordeaux Tourny Triangle D'or An apartment located in the historic district, Bordeaux Tourny Triangle D'or is set in typical stone building next to Bordeaux National Theater and just 500 metres from the Garonne River ...

Prices : from 0.00 € to 0.00 € Contact : 6 allées de Tourny 33000 Bordeaux Hotel Gironde Les Appartements du Centre de Bordeaux Les Appartements du centre de Bordeaux offer a collection of single units, set in different locations within the very centre of Bordeaux. Each accommodation type features a contemporary d... Rate : from 0.00 € to 0.00 € Contact : Different locations in Bordeaux 33000 Bordeaux Hotel Landes Villa Mirasol Featuring free WiFi, a restaurant and a sun terrace, Villa Mirasol offers accommodation in Mont-de-Marsan, 49 km from Dax. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Private parking is available o... Price : from 100.00 € to 230.00 € Address : 2 boulevard Ferdinand de Candau 40000 Mont-de-Marsan Hotel Landes Hôtel du Sablar Set in an 18th-century building with 3 gardens, this hotel is located 100 metres from St-Roch Square in the centre of the city.

It has a 24-hour reception with a night watchman and free W... Prices : from 50.00 € to 115.00 € Contact : 3, Place Jean Jaurès 40000 Mont-de-Marsan Hotel Lot-et-Garonne Le Secret 47 Le Secret 47 is a guest house located in the centre of Agen, just 230 metres from the train station and 600 metres from Canal du Midi. Free WiFi access is available and guests can enjoy c... Rate : from 29.99 € to 65.00 € Contact : 1 Rue Jules Cels 47000 Agen Hotel Lot-et-Garonne Hotel des Ambans Set in the historic district in Agen City Centre, this low-cost hotel provides free Wi-Fi access in the non-smoking guest rooms. Agen Train Station is located 240 metres away. A TV and w...

Price : from 41.00 € to 48.00 € Contact : 59 Rue des Ambans 47000 Agen Hotel Pyrénées-Atlantiques Le d'Orsay Apartment Le d'Orsay Apartment is an apartment located in a residence set in Pau, 1.6 km from Palais Beaumont. Featuring free private parking, the apartment is 4 km from Zénith-Pau. Free WiFi is p... Prices : from 40.00 € to 60.00 € Address : 4 rue Pasteur 64000 Pau Hotel Pyrénées-Atlantiques L'appartement du centre Situated in Pau, this apartment features free WiFi. L'appartement du centre boasts views of the city and is 1.4 km from Palais Beaumont. An oven, a microwave and a toaster can be found i...

Rate : from 54.00 € to 54.00 € Contact : 78 Rue Emile Guichenné 64000 Pau Map of Aquitaine Tourist Information On Aquitaine Region Of France Follow @EUtouring Even if you are arriving at one of the ferry ports such as Calais, you can reach Aquitaine either on the A10 via Paris , the capital city of France, or via Rouen, Le Mans, then Tours and down, which will take you on the A28 then onto the A10. And this second route is far better than negotiating the notorious periphery around Paris, but if you have time whilst on your touring holiday in France, you will be able to stop in a couple of different regions to experience a varied culture. However, if you are not thinking about staying on one of the French campsites in Aquitaine and would rather opt for a hotel of gite, then there is plenty of choice and this way you choose whether you wish to drive or fly and then hire a car.

In fact, you will find that there are several options for cheap flights to France in the Aquitaine region, as it is such a popular tourist holiday destination and you can get flights from the UK directly to the capital city Bordeaux, Biarritz, Bergerac and even Pau, so no matter whether you want to be inland or near to the coast you will never be that far from your destination. Information, tourist attractions and places to visit in the Aquitaine Region in France Aquitaine is located in the South West of France, then to the North of the region you have the Poitou Charentes region, North East is Limousin , South East is the Midi Pyrenees to the South you have Spain and of course, to the West there is the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. The city of Bordeaux is the capital of the Aquitaine region and the name is synonymous with French wines such as Claret, and it is probably the most famous red wine producing area in world. However, there are other areas with the region that produce wine such as Bergerac in the Dordogne area and the south west, although these are no where near as well known. Yet this region has other claims to fame.

In fact, there are well over 200km of fine sandy beaches that all the family can enjoy when on holiday in France and these are only interrupted by the Bay of Arcachon, which is a lagoon famous for its oyster farming. However, it is also a great area for surfing and surfers come from all over the world to enjoy the main places to catch the waves, which are St Jean de Luz, Anglet, Hassegor and Biarritz, which is the surfing capital of Europe. The next point is the fact that there are numerous sand dunes and overlooking the Bay of Arcachon you can discover the highest sand dune in Europe called La Dune du Pilat, but if you prefer cycling then there are over 500km of cycle tracks and these are only the ones by the coast, yet alone inland! Also this region is thought to be one of the oldest human habitated areas in Europe, so there is a very rich history to be discovered with numerous prehistoric sites, caves and cave paintings and the area around Lascaux which has now been classified as a world heritage site.

Aquitaine also includes Europe’s largest pine forests and because of this, the timber industry is of great importance to the region, but is a great place to spend time admiring the flora and fauna whether it be on foot hiking and rambling or on horse back. And in addition to all this, you have the Pyrenees Atlantic, which is where you will find Biarritz and St Jean de Luz near the Spanish border, yet high into the Pyrenees mountains is a popular place for skiing holidays in winter or rock climbing and hiking during the summer months. Just some tourist attractions and places to visit in Aquitaine region of France OK, so we have already mentioned the beautiful fine sandy beaches, the sand dunes and the pine forests, but there is also the bird island with its cabins on stilts and the oyster farming villages around the Bay of Arcachon. For great family days out whilst on your camping holiday in Aquitaine you could take a trip on the Baise a Nerac or go boating along the River Dordogne, which are great ways of getting to see picturesque villages like La Roque-Gageac named one of the most beautiful villages in France and the castles that are located along the riverbanks.

Then the city of Bordeaux itself has some fabulous architecture such as the bridge over the River Garonne and an opera house, plus is renowned as a city of art and culture, yet of course, as we mentioned earlier, it is the area surrounding Bordeaux that is most famous for its French Wines. Keeping on theme of history, the town of St Emilion is home to a medieval church, Lascaux is home to prehistoric caves and cave paintings, Perigueux has lots of old buildings and a cathedral, and then you have the Cordouan Lighthouse that is the oldest French lighthouse and is still manned today. You then have the fortified town of Montpazier, Le Chateau de Bonaguil looking more like a traditional castle and dating back to the 15th century, and Pau with its castle to name just a few other historical sites you may wish to visit. But for a completely different kind of day out, you could choose to take a trip on one of the traditional flat bottomed boats, or visit Le Parc Walibi in Aquitaine, which is a theme park with different rides etc.

And yet the town of Bayonne has got to be on the list of places to visit for those that love gastronomy, as they have been cultivating cocoa since the 17th century and hold a chocolate festival every year one weekend in May. This is an old town steeped in history with quaint streets, and one of the other main products from here is called Bayonne Ham and not breaking a tradition that has been going since to 1400s, there is the Bayonne Ham Fair held every year for a few days in April. Talking of French food , the Dordogne area inland is famous for its truffles, plus the region grows most of the prunes in France along with a substantial amount of strawberries, kiwi fruits and a certain type of red pepper, so as you can imagine, these ingredients are often used in the regional French cuisine . Not forgetting the ham and foie gras that is also very popular in the Aquitaine region, so there will be something to delight all taste buds when you visit one of the many restaurant whilst on your family camping holiday in France .

And with its rich heritage, there is bound to be a type of wine to suit all dishes from here, as you have famous names like Merlot, Medoc and Sauternes, however, the brandy Armagnac is also produced within the Aquitaine region and there are some fantastic wine tours and chateaux to visit when on holiday, where you can experience some of their wines before buying. So, all in all, this is one region with such diversity from lazing on a beach to hiking and historical trails through to wine tasting or festivals, that there will definitely be something for everyone to enjoy whilst on holiday in France. Also, you will be pleased to know that there are many different types of French campsites in Aquitaine you can stay at, like one of the campsites with beach nearby or a campsite with fishing available on site, so you can be sure to find the right campsite for your next camping holiday in France.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved Tourist information on Aquitaine region of France Aquitaine is probably most well known for the famous French wines of Bordeaux and the surrounding areas, however, there is much more that you can discover in this region of France, such as the old cave paintings and historical reminders of the past through to the surfing area on the Atlantic coast which is visited by surfers from all over the world. Then you have the Pyrenees, which is great for skiing holidays in winter and hiking or rambling in summer. Travelling to the Aquitaine Region in France Located along the Atlantic coastline and bordering onto Spain, Aquitaine is one of the historic regions in France and even though it is quite a long trip down by car, it is still easy to get to when driving the French roads , especially with the fantastic motorway network that is in place throughout France. Regions covered by Bordeaux and Beyond Lot-et-Garonne (47) Agen Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) Pau Bordeaux the capital of Aquitaine, situated 350 miles southwest of Paris, is among the world's top 100 world cities for commerce and lifestyle.

This region's wide-open spaces include Europe's largest forest and offers a huge range of environments from the mountains to the sea. The number and quality of its golf courses has made it France's leading region for golfers. Transport Bordeaux is the western terminus of an excellent road and rail network between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. International Airports Aquitaine Map | Map of Aquitaine, France Map of Aquitaine Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. More Aquitaine Maps Carte d'Aquitaine AQUITAINE Aquitaine is a French metropolitan region located in south-western France. This region is located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range. The region shares border with Spain. Bordeaux is the capital of Aquitaine region. The departments of Aquitaine are Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrenees-Atlantiques. Aquitaine has 18 arrondissements. In total, there are 2,296 communes.

GEOGRAPHY OF AQUITAINE Aquitaine covers about 7.6 per cent of France’s total area. Spain is located to the south of Aquitaine. Midi-Pyrenees is located to the east. Poitou-Charentes and Limousin are located to the North. Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Biscay) is located to the west of Aquitaine. The popular coast of the Cote d’Argent is located in France. The Bassin d’Arcachon is a famous lagoon of Bassin d’Arcachon. To the south of Aquitaine region, the Pyrenees mountains are located. Aquitaine is also blessed with the largest sand dune of Europe. HISTORY OF AQUITAINE During Roman times, Gallia Aquitania comprised of the region of Gaul between Pyrenees Mountains and Garonne River. Aquitaine was quite thoroughly romanized in its culture. In the 4th century AD, Aquitaine was divided into three separate provinces. These three provinces of Aquitaine were Aquitania prima, Aquitania secunda and Aquitania tertia or Aquitania Novempopulana.

After the Romans, the Visigoths came to power in the region. Then the Franks occupied Aquitaine. After this, Aquitaine passed on to the Carolingian Empire. LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN FRANCE French is for obvious reasons the language spoken by maximum people in that region. Other native languages are also spoken in this French metropolitan region, such as Basque Language and various forms of Occitan. Languages such as English, Arabic and Spanish were the non- native tongues that were brought to the region by immigrants. SPORTS IN AQUITAINE The French Metropolitan Area of Aquitaine, is home to many successful sport teams. One of France’s most successful association football teams, Girondins de Bordeaux is from Aquitaine region. Rugby Union and Bull-fighting are also popular in Aquitaine. On Aquitaine’s coasts, major surfing championships are also organized. IMPORTANT CITIES OF AQUITAINE The important cities of Aquitaine are Bordeaux, Bayonne, Pau, Mont-de-Marsan, Perigueux, Biarritz and Agen. Last Updated : June 25, 2014

Question: What is the capital of the French region of Aquitaine?
Answer: BORDEAUX